John, Paul, George & Ringo: It's a Beatles Round-Up!

The Fab Four are our fave. (Say that ten times fast!)  Their music, their fashion, their attitudes resonate with millions; I mean, there is a reason it's called Beatles MANIA! Here are just a handful of the amazing things these musicians have inspired - crafts, lullabies, and even Russian Nesting Dolls.  We had to limit ourselves to just these items this time, or this blog would be ten pages long.  Check out a tiny selection of our faves below and then come meet us in an Octopus' Garden - we'll be in the shade. 

1. The Beatles Lullaby CD by Rockabye Baby Records  
2. Beatles Band Cupcakes by Instructables 
3. The Beatles DIY Abbey Road Art by a little artsy 
4. Beatles Love Me Do Girlie T-Shirt available at Psychobabyonline 
5. All You Need is Love Cedar Plank Sign DIY by Seven Thirty Three
6. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper Nesting Dolls by Great Russian Gifts
7. Beatles Yellow Submarine One-piece available at Psychobabyonline 
8. Beatles Inspired Birthday Party by Hostess with the Mostess 
9. Beatles 1964 Cake by Cake Central 
10. All You Need is Love DIY Sneakers by Dream a Little Bigger 
11. Personalized Lil Yellow Submarine Pillowcase in Blue by Psychobabyonline  

Years and years after the last Beatles Album is released (I'm sure there are some hidden tracks just biding their time to resurface...), people all over the world will still find them and fall in love with their music and their message.  Because remember: 

If you like what you see here, check out Beatles-themed gifts here! 

Imagination Hour at Goddess and the Grocer

Click here to RSVP!

School is in session! Take a break and bring your kids to the Goddess & Grocer this Sunday afternoon (September 14, 2014 from 1-3PM) , where a teacher from Easel Art Studio will guide them through a back-to-school themed art class. Psychobaby will then turn your child's artwork from the class into a totally unique mug, which will be available to bring home at an Open House Art Show on 9/23/2014, from 1-3pm.

Custom mug featuring your kiddo's art!

Not only do you get a super cool custom mug - your kiddo's creation will be displayed on the wall at the Goddess & Grocer ALL MONTH LONG! That's sure a step up from hanging it on the fridge, guys!

All materials will be provided and both events are free.
Donations will be gladly accepted:

• Children's books which will be donated to Teach for America
• New school supplies for children at Chicago's Association House

We can't wait to see you there, so come relax with neighborhood families and watch your children's imaginations run wild!

http://www.easelartstudio.com/
http://www.psychobabyonline.com/
http://goddessandgrocer.com/
http://associationhouse.org/

Fourth of July Roundup: Food, Fashion & Fun!

Summertime Barbeques are the best part of the Summer season - which in Chicago lasts roughly three months, so we pack everything in pretty tight. There are birthday party BBQs, break-in-the-new grill BBQs, and of course, holiday BBQs. This year is extra awesome because the 4th of July falls on a Friday - which means an entire weekend of chillin' & grillin'! Get ready for your get-together with some of these super fun ideas for Fourth of July!

Food 

Obviously, the most important element of any BBQ is the food.  Here are some DELICIOUS looking Star Spangled Snacks that are sure to impress.

Just add Sparkler Candle...instant celebration!

* Patriotic Breakfast Toast - a healthy way to start the day before you see the dessert table...
* Taco Salad Flag - if you want to get technical, just mix in white cheddar instead
* Flag Fruit Kabobs - SOO easy and will offset all of the negative health effects from delicious  BBQ
* Chocolate Covered Pretzels Flag - another flag-themed dish...way more sugar than the fruit flag
* Watermelon Keg - FOR ADULTS ONLY...based on what you put inside.
* Sparkler Cupcakes - almost as good as regular cupcakes, but you get to light something on fire.
* Red, White & Blue Popsicles - made with fresh strawberries, blueberries, yogurt & honey
* Stained Glass Jello - obviously we saved this for last because there's ALWAYS room for Jello
* Grab one of our Hey Hey USA Placemats and save yourself a little clean-up!
 

Fashion 

Any old American can rock the red, white & blue on the Fourth of July, but the true fashionistas personalize their patriotism!

* Psychobaby World's Biggest Fan One-piece - A design for the World Cup, but applicable to pretty much any and all Summer BBQs
* Psychobaby Hey Hey USA Tee - It doesn't matter which of the 50 you're from, so show your home state a little love.
* Stella Blu Born Free Tee - seriously does NOT get more American than this! 
* Psychobaby Patriotic Gentleman Tee - It's too hot to actually dress up with suspenders, so this is the next best thing!
* Psychobaby World Love One-piece - Wear your flag on your chest with pride...and also your bum.
* Psychobaby Bomb Pop Tank - An absolute summer favorite! (Not just the dessert, this tank too!)

Fireworks and Fun!

In the land of the free and the home of the brave (enough to let their kids hold sparklers) it's important to be safe!  However, not everyone is old enough to partake in the pyrotechnics, so we've gathered up some crafts to make everyone feel involved in the celebration!

Super fun craft! Just don't glue yourself to the table...

* Safe Sparklers - much safer, less fire.
* Red, White & Blue Tin Can Candle Holders - add a citronella candle to ward away those pesky bugs
* DIY Flag Tee - not too messy and super easy!
* Fireworks Painting Project - pipecleaners and (washable) paints.
* Popsicle Stick Flags - really cute decorations! Just don't glue yourself to the table...

And last, but certainly not least: 
* Firework Safety Rules - print this off, put it somewhere EVERYONE can see it...just in case.


You can see all of these awesome ideas (AND MORE) to make your 4th of July Holiday BBQ awesome on our Fourth of July Pinterest Page.  Hope you all have a safe and happy Holiday!

How To Eat Dirt & 20+ Earth Day Ideas for Kids

Happy Earth Day! We want to help our kiddos understand why taking care of our planet is so important, and why we all love Planet Earth... like, love it so much we want to EAT it! Here's our favorite way to EAT DIRT! (If you're grossed out and thinking we're just as 'psycho' as our name implies, check out this article in the New York Times about how eating dirt is good for you.)

 

This dirty recipe is basically for the beloved pudding "dirt cups" we all remember, we really like the twist of layering the filling. You could use these to teach kids a mini lesson on sedimentary rock! Um... we know, we're grown-ups, but these are still totally delicious. 

This dirt treat is probably a little more appropriate for the holiday at the end of October, but why not celebrate Dirt Earth Day with a creepy dirt pie!

More Cool Earth Day Snacks & Recipes

• Earth Day Cupcakes - these are almost too pretty to eat!
• Earth Day Muffins - almost as cool looking, and with a healthy twist.
• Spooky Graveyard Dirt Pie - RIP, PIE!
• Dirt Cake - ...dig in!
• Dirt & Sand Pudding Cups - for kids of all ages.  
• Fruit flowers - 'plant' these on your plate
• Earth Day Bars - using ingredients from all around the world.
• Homemade Limeade - sayonara, Kool-Aid! This has only two ingredients! (plus it's green!)

Cool Earth Day Crafts!

• DIY Bubble refills - love the recycling of yogurt cups = no new plastic!
• A million things to make from a paper plate - almost every animal.
• Paper plate globe paint project - results are way cool.
• Tiny terrariums - so cute, we'd line the windowsill with these.
• Fun shaped crayons - use up the broken green and blue bits to make "earth" crayons!
• Recycled egg carton bugs - creepy, crawly, and totally eco!
• Shake-n-paint Earth - a fun slightly more active craft.
• Recycled magazine rack - decorate however you want! 
• Craft flower bouquet - use up those crafty bits & pieces, + doesn't need water.
• Printable Earth Day pledge - for kiddos, but we could all stand to fill one out!
• Earth Day Sensory Science - neat way to talk about different animals & their habitats.
• Lights out! - Cute & easy way to remember to turn the lights out when you leave a room

Why are we doing all of this, anyway? Because our Earth is awesome. Check out this collection of photos of the Earth, it's remarkable what a cool, crazy, planet we live on!

If you have any up-cycled projects you want to share, we'd love to see. We're talking, taking an old rock t-shirt of dad's and making a cool summer dress, that kind of thing. However you choose to celebrate, we wish all of you a very happy and tasty Dirt Day!

Olympic Inspired Crafts, Food and Fashion for Families and Kids

 It's that time again - Winter Olympics! We all love watching, and it's a darn good excuse to find a copy of Cool Runnings and give that a viewing, too! Here's a roundup of a few of our favorite Olympic themed snacks, shirts, and crafts!

FOOD

• Olympic "Torches" - kiddos will dig this totally edible treat.
• Donut Gold Medals - Genius. Delicious genius.
• Olympic Ring Pizza - definitely a little healthier than a donut medal, but just as yummy!

FASHION

• Psychobaby World-Love One-Piece - grab one to support whichever team you love most!
• Pluto Born in the Usa Tee - pick this up to show your American pride
• Olympic Nail Art - just for the ladies, a bunch of cool/easy ideas!

CRAFTS/GAMES

• Make Your Own Gold Medal - or 10! You're a winner, baby!
• DIY Olympic Torch Craft - totally kid safe to make and "use"
• Olympic Bingo - a rad Olympic game for us less athletically inclined types 

Share your Olympic ideas with us - what's your favorite event to watch? It's cool if it's ice dancing. We dig that too. Check out all the Olympic fashion & fun on our Olympic Pinterest board, and remember to always GO FOR THE GOLD! 

Superbowl 2014 Roundup: Food, Fashion & Fun!

Football fashion for baby and kids, football food, football crafts, and most importantly football SNACKS! Woo-hoo! We were thinking it was just that sad time of winter when all we have to look forward to is President's Day (oh yay...) - then we remembered the greatest day of the year is about to happen! SUPERBOWL SUNDAY! We did a round-up of our fave football food, fashion, and fun, so check out these yummy, cute & cool ideas!

FOOD

• Indiviual Seven Layer Dip Cups - seriously one of the smartest ideas we've seen
• Pull Apart Touchdown Cupcakes - recipe from the Food Network, so you know it's good!
• Football Shaped Rice Krispie Treats - bonus, they're dipped in caramel!
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Football Dip - Yes, please. Oh yes.
• Mini Football Pastrami Sandwiches - really, you could use whatever fillings you like
• Truffle Football Cupcakes -  ohhhh no you didn't! Truffles ON top of cupcakes!
• Football Field of Guacamole - anyone else as addicted to avocado as we are?
• Pigskin Pizza - check out the image above, how do you NOT want to make this?
• Football Deviled Eggs -super super easy, super super cute!
• Psychobaby Cutting Board - you know, to help while you're making all these awesome snacks!

FASHION

• Kickoff Football Nail Art - football doesn't get girlier than this!
• Psychobaby Football Puppy Dog Tag  - for boys or girls! 
• Psychobaby Most Valuable Baby Football Bib - c'mon, your kiddo is def the MVB!
• Football Hair for Dudes - a real commitment...
• Football Hair for Ladies - so cute to do for your little girls!
• Psychobaby Football Belly Gift Set -best gift ever for newbie fans
• Psychobaby Football Belly Kids Tee- no matter who you root for, this tee is custom made for you!
• Psychobaby Rookie Infant Hat  - keep lil noggins cute and cozy
• Psychobaby Huddle Infant Hat - matches our Football Belly One-Piece perfectly! 
• Psychobaby Score a Touchdown Tee  - customize with your team colors

FUN

• How to Build Your Own Superbowl Snack Stadium - Epic.
• Candy Superbowl Party Favors - easy to make, kid and grownup approved!
• Pigskin "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" - play football, even if you can't play football!
• Superbowl Party Ideas & Decorations - tons of cool ideas here
• Superbowl Juice Box Craft - fun, and functional
• Psychobaby Football Kickoff Water Bottle  - lil athletes have to stay hydrated 
• Psychobaby Mealtime Kickoff Football Placemat - yum!
• Crepe Paper Pom Poms - make 'em in your team colors!
• Psychobaby Dream on Touchdown Pillowcase - have MVP dreams
• Football Paper Chain - decor the kiddos can help create

See the rest of our Superbowl ideas on our Football Pinterest board, and don't miss out on our entire collection of personalized football gifts for baby and kids. Who are you guys rooting for this year? We can't decide... the Broncos DO have the same colors as da Bears... 

The Kid Who Has Everything Def Does Not Have This!

 

Personalized gifts for kids are a sure-fire way to make this holiday extra special. Once they're old enough, kiddos love recognizing their own name. Here's seven of our favorite ways to  to personalize your Psychobaby's Christmas!


1. Santa's tech-savvy, so it seems. Check out the crazy Christmas app/website portablenorthpole.com and hook your kiddos up with a personalized video message or phone call from Saint Nick!

2. Transform some Twinkies (or your choice of snack cake) into personalized edible stockings with a little decorator's icing and candy.

3. Make some silly star ornaments with the little ones using fun foam letters to spell out their names.

4. What a charming gift or keepsake for your kiddos - grab some favorite photographs and check out these cool, sparkly DIY snow globes!

5. Use this recipe for salt dough ornaments - we tried it out using letter shaped cookie cutters (or tracing your kiddo's initial) and let them decorate it with colorful markers. Total hit, and your tree will be just a little bit merrier with a few of these hanging on it!

6. Short on time? Grab some letter stickers from the craft store and any ornament to make an instant personalized ornament for everyone in your family.

7. Let us do the work and make your Psychobaby the perfect personalized gift: shop now!

30% Off Arts & Crafts

Get crafty with 30% off art supplies this week during our Ready, Set, Go sale! Sometimes it's just too hot to hang outside in the summer, so put on the AC and stay cool inside with some fun craft projects! If you haven't yet, pick up a pack of Melissa and Doug's ingenious triangular colored pencils or crayons. They're much stronger than regular ones, and thanks to their flat sides, they never roll off the table! 

We're pretty sure you wont want to go back to regular crayons after you try these - but don't let all the broken bits and pieces of your old crayons go to waste! Grab a muffin pan and melt those scraps into some cool chunky rainbow crayons. Find detailed instructions on recycling crayons here.

And now you need something to color! Grab one of Melissa and Doug's fun coloring books - they've got themes covering everything from planes to princesses. Or just get a blank sketch pad and go crazy! If there's one rule we live by here at Psychobaby, it's that you definitely don't have to color inside the lines. Check out lots more cool craft ideas on our DIY Pinterest board, but remember to shop now to score 30% off on awesome art supplies for kids!